I am by no means on poor street, but I just can't justify spending the US$699 on Photoshop. I do have Photoshop Elements, but I feel constantly limited by the countless resources (tutorials etc) that are written for Photoshop that I can't use. I struggle because I can't use layer masks, colour curves (well the full version, anyway), and stuff like the pen tool.

Are people realistically forking out 700 bucks (and well over $1,000 for suckers like me who earn Aussie pesos) for Photoshop? I just have the feeling that there is widespread Photoshop piracy going on, which I won't do. Am I right? I just hear people complaining often on the forums about the cost of bodies and lenses, but never about software.

What alternatives are there? Do other people use other software apart from Photoshop and not feel limited? Am I missing something?

I use free stuff: Irfanview and the Gimp. You can download them from their websites. However, I don't do very much with the photoshop-like stuff in the Gimp, because I myself am limited. Other people here know how to use the Gimp - you might want to search the hardware and software threads.

I don't really have any interest in bypassing the licensing restrictions, especially as I use the software for commercial purposes. Maybe I'm just being a cheapskate, but I'd just like to hear other people's opinions.

Paint Shop Pro X2 is a pretty decent program. It does tons of stuff. It was really cheap too. I do have Photoshop CS from where I used to work. They upgraded us for home every time an update came out, but I don't work there any more so that's where I'm stuck.

Well, it's hard for the average Joe who just wants to play with pictures for the fun of it.

However I justified it because it's the most powerful tool I have with which to earn money. Thats also how I justify every upgrade. I even have to upgrade my QuarkXpress (who charges much more for upgrades!) and all the system upgrades and camera upgrades, and all the other accounts such as Smugmug Pro for selling.

If you plan on trying to earn money with photos, Photoshop is a must. but, yes I feel your pain. The first time I bought any of the programs I use it was harder because it wasn't earning money yet. You gotta spend money to make money.

if you know a student in college you might see if they can purchase it as a "gift" for you. You might be able to get it for around $200US

I got my copy of CS3 this way, but also used it as a business purchase and could write off of my taxes as an expense. My friend is a photography/art student at at Junior College and got me a copy for $275. I paid with my business credit card and used the receipt as a tax write-off last year.

If you plan on trying to earn money with photos, Photoshop is a must. but, yes I feel your pain. The first time I bought any of the programs I use it was harder because it wasn't earning money yet. You gotta spend money to make money.

Good point. I am being a cheapskate. It's just frustrating to know that there is a good percentage of people ripping it off, and I have to fork out a painful amount of money for it :)

You can get academic versions if you are a student, teacher, or even have a child in school. All you have to do is submit proof and you can get the discounted versions. I go through these people but I'm sure there are others. I believe you can get CS4 Extended for about $300.

If people can justify spending thousands of dollars on lenses they use every day, then why is it difficult to justify spending a few hundred dollars on a piece of software they're going to spend hours sitting in front of and which is such a critical part of their workflow?

Not to gloat,
but I'm pretty lucky cause my uncle works for Adobe and I think I got both lightroom and CS3 for under 200. I would highly recommend looking into student version. I have a few friends who have gotten photoshop this way. I hope you find a way, and please don't pirate it. I know it's expensive but it's also the same as someone stealing your photos... or at least that's the way I look at it.

Look at it this way; Photoshop (or similar software) is an essential tool for the digital photographer. Even the world's best photographers use software to get the most from their images, and mediocre photographers would be lost without it. You wouldn't balk at paying $700 for a decent body or lens, would you?

Not to gloat,
but I'm pretty lucky cause my uncle works for Adobe and I think I got both lightroom and CS3 for under 200. I would highly recommend looking into student version. I have a few friends who have gotten photoshop this way. I hope you find a way, and please don't pirate it. I know it's expensive but it's also the same as someone stealing your photos... or at least that's the way I look at it.

Evan

I would never pirate it. That's the point of this discussion/ whinge :)